Battersea Park Street Circuit
 | |
| Location | London, England |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) BST (April–October, UTC+1) |
| Coordinates | 51°28′45″N 0°09′26″W / 51.47917°N 0.15722°W |
| Opened | 26 June 2015 |
| Closed | 3 July 2016 |
| Architect | Simon Gibbons |
| Major events | Formula E London ePrix (2015–2016) |
| Street Circuit (2015–2016) | |
| Length | 2.925 km (1.818 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.150 ( Sébastien Buemi, Renault Z.E 15, 2016, Formula E) |
Battersea Park Street Circuit was a motor racing circuit located in Battersea Park, London, England from 2015 to 2016. It hosted the final two races of the 2014–15 Formula E season, and also the second season. The track was 2.925 km (1.818 mi) in length and featured 17 turns.
There was controversy over circuit's installation in a Grade II* listed park, and it was announced in 2016 that the Formula E race would not be held there again.
History
[edit]The track was designed by Formula E's London event team and British architect Simon Gibbons. Wandsworth Council approved of the circuit and the double race on 19 February 2015.[1]
The circuit was criticized for being too narrow and too bumpy, with Jérôme d'Ambrosio suffering broken suspension.[2] A last-minute change to turn 1 had to be implemented and the race had to be started under a pace car.[3]
There was controversy over the park circuit taking place in a Grade II* listed park, with opposition to the disruption the races and subsequent build period would cause to a free public space. Around the race weekends a majority of the park was closed to the public for four days with a three-week disruption period. The local community set up a group to oppose any further races in the park.[4]
In June 2016 Formula E announced that, on the basis of understanding between Formula E and the Battersea Park Action Group, Formula E would not return.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Green light for 'double header' London ePrix in Battersea Park". FIA Formula E. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
- ^ "Turn 1 exit resurfaced – Formula E". Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ http://formulaspy.com/formula-e/formula-e-news/mods-turn-1-means-safety-car-start-london-eprix-16110[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Save Battersea Park community group". Retrieved 27 October 2015.
- ^ Council, Wandsworth. "Formula E - Consultation Forum meeting minutes | Wandsworth Council". www.wandsworth.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.